By Roselyn B. Monroyo
Variety News Staff

DEFENDING champions the Mwaliyas needed two extra sets to thwart Da Lani Kynez in Game 3 of their semis series and advance to the finals of the World Organized Rocball Community League yesterday in the Marianas High School Gym.
After six tiring sets, the Mwaliyas pulled off a 79-73 double overtime win against Da Lani Kynez in the deciding Game 3.
The regulation ended with Da Lani Kynez leading by 14, 71-57. But it could not claim the win as rocball rules state that the leading team can only notch the victory if it also prevails in the fourth set.
The Mwaliyas won the fourth set, 16-15, to force an o-kon.
In overtime, the Mwaliyas needed two sets to steal the game, while Da Lani Kynez had to prevail only once to pull an upset against the defending champions.
But with their title at stake, the Mwaliyas found enough juice in the next two sets to earn a return trip to the finals.
The Mwaliyas blanked Da Lani Kynez in the first set o-kon, 12-0 to force a second set.
Again, the Mwaliyas showed the form that earned them the crown last year posting a 12-2 win to clinch the first finals berth.
Shane Yamada was the game’s heavy hitter firing 46 points on 11 aces, 14 kees, two xunxs and two goals.
Myron Laniyo led Da Lani Kynez with 35 points on 12 kees, three aces, a xunx and a goal.
At the end of Game 3, the opposing teams had scored 17 aces, five xunxs, 29 kees and three goals.
The Mwaliyas foe in the best-of-seven finals will be the winner of the Dublon Chiefs-Watch & Learn semis series. The Dublon Chiefs are leading, 1-0.
Da Lani Kynez pushed the Mwaliyas to the limit when it prevailed in Game 2, 66-44.
Game 2 also went into overtime with Da Lani Kynez claiming the victory after an 11-3 triumph in the first-set o-kon.
Da Lani Kynez had the lead at the end of the regulation, 55-41, but it could not take the victory outright, as the Mwaliyas topped the fourth set, 15-12.
Da Lani Kynez needed only one set to wrap up the match and they did it with ease limiting the Mwaliyas to three points in the first-set in overtime.
Melvin Seman led Da Lani Kynez’s Game 2 victory scoring 23 points on seven kees, three aces and a foal. Laniyo also helped Da Lani Kynez’ cause drilling 22 points on 10 kees and an ace.